State Political Correspondent for The Age

All out: AMWU official Steve Dargavel (second from left) talks to the media. Photo: Angela Wylie

The news for Toyota's workers came just after 4.30pm. It was greeted with tearful shock but for many the decision had been coming for some time.

In the afternoon extra security guards were deployed at the Toyota plant in Altona and after 4.30pm Toyota Australia president Max Yasuda addressed the workers. Less than half an hour later one man walked up to journalists and handed them the piece of paper workers had been given. He said no more as he left.

The document confirmed what many had feared, that the company was closing Australian operations.

It made the decision no easier to swallow.

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"[The feeling] was pretty hollow, everyone was pretty shocked,'' Lino Arturi, a 14-year-veteran of the company said.

"There were suspicions here and there, we thought we were heading in the right direction.''

Workers leaving the plant were widely critical of the federal government's tough stance on industry assistance, many were unsure of their future given the continued decline of manufacturing in Victoria.

Despite widespread speculation the company was going to cease Australian manufacturing, the decision was still very emotional. One worker, who did not wish to be named, said deep down many people had been expecting it but had held on to hope that it could survive.

"Shocked but not surprised,'' he said.

Engineer Dennis Dinh has worked at Toyota for 24 years. He is now considering retirement because finding a new job will be too difficult.

Dave Smith, the national secretary of the AMWU's vehicle division, said Toyota made the announcement in a dignified manner and it was good workers got some certainty from the company.

"To go home tonight to tell your wife, your partner, your kids that you are not going to have a job at the end of 2017 is pretty tough, particularly for many of these workers as they have been so long serving and dedicated,'' Mr Smith said.

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